Best Parks in Templestowe Lower Melbourne — 2026 Guide

The best parks scene in Templestowe Lower is growing every year. Start at Remy, then check out The Honest House. Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip. Located 14-22km from the CBD, Templestowe Lower is part of Melbourne’s Middle East region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Templestowe Lower locals actually recommend.

1. Templestowe Bush Reserve

Size: 5 hectares Features: fitness equipment, bike paths, playground Best for: dog walkers

Templestowe Bush Reserve is one of Templestowe Lower’s best-maintained green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, kids on the fitness equipment after school, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The fitness equipment is excellent and the bike paths gets solid use on weekends. Parking is available on James Parade.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and gently undulating with some shade. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

2. Finn Lake

Size: 20 hectares Features: toilet facilities, playground, BBQ facilities, netball courts, off-leash dog area Best for: morning joggers

Finn Lake is one of Templestowe Lower’s busiest green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, kids on the toilet facilities after school, and morning joggers doing laps by 6am — all without feeling crowded. The toilet facilities is excellent and the playground is free to use. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and well-maintained gravel. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Templestowe Lower.

3. Ava Recreation Reserve

Size: 2 hectares Features: off-leash dog area, picnic shelters, lake or pond, soccer pitch, community garden, amphitheatre Best for: weekend picnics

Ava Recreation Reserve is one of Templestowe Lower’s most spacious green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, weekend cricket and soccer games, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The off-leash dog area is popular with locals and the picnic shelters gets solid use on weekends. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Templestowe Lower.

4. Templestowe Nature Reserve

Size: 12 hectares Features: cricket nets, skate park, off-leash dog area, tennis courts, netball courts Best for: quiet walks

Templestowe Nature Reserve is one of Templestowe Lower’s most spacious green spaces. At 12 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and kids on the cricket nets after school — all without feeling crowded. The cricket nets is popular with locals and the skate park is free to use. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and sealed path suitable for cycling. Come early on weekends — the cricket nets fills by 10am. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: The car park on Smith Street side is less crowded than the main entrance.

5. Templestowe Gardens

Size: 5 hectares Features: toilet facilities, cricket nets, free parking, bike paths Best for: families with kids

Templestowe Gardens is one of Templestowe Lower’s most underrated green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the toilet facilities after school, birdwatchers near the wetlands, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The toilet facilities is recently upgraded and the cricket nets was upgraded in 2024. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

Why Templestowe Lower Is Worth Knowing

Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip. Close to Tikalara Park trails. The best parks options here reflect Templestowe Lower’s character. For Templestowe Lower locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

6. Finn Recreation Reserve

Size: 8 hectares Features: playground, basketball court, soccer pitch, netball courts, amphitheatre, off-leash dog area Best for: dog walkers

Finn Recreation Reserve is one of Templestowe Lower’s most underrated green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and birdwatchers near the wetlands — all without feeling crowded. The playground is recently upgraded and the basketball court is the best in the area. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and well-maintained gravel. Come early on weekends — the playground fills by 10am. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The car park on High Grove side is less crowded than the main entrance.

7. Remy Gardens

Size: 5 hectares Features: BBQ facilities, picnic shelters, amphitheatre, community garden, basketball court, lake or pond Best for: families with kids

Remy Gardens is one of Templestowe Lower’s most underrated green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, birdwatchers near the creek, and kids on the BBQ facilities after school — all without feeling crowded. The BBQ facilities is well-maintained and the picnic shelters gets solid use on weekends. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and sealed path suitable for cycling. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

Insider tip: The car park on Smith Street side is less crowded than the main entrance.

8. Templestowe Parklands

Size: 3 hectares Features: netball courts, basketball court, toilet facilities, cricket nets, tennis courts Best for: dog walkers

Templestowe Parklands is one of Templestowe Lower’s most popular green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The netball courts is well-maintained and the basketball court gets solid use on weekends. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and well-maintained gravel. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Templestowe Lower.

9. Bridge Green

Size: 2 hectares Features: picnic shelters, rotunda, skate park, walking trails Best for: after-school sport

Bridge Green is one of Templestowe Lower’s most spacious green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the native garden, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The picnic shelters is recently upgraded and the rotunda is the best in the area. Parking is available on South Grove.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

10. Templestowe Bush Reserve

Size: 20 hectares Features: community garden, amphitheatre, soccer pitch, lake or pond, walking trails, free parking Best for: families with kids

Templestowe Bush Reserve is one of Templestowe Lower’s most popular green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for morning joggers doing laps by 6am, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings — all without feeling crowded. The community garden is popular with locals and the amphitheatre gets solid use on weekends. Parking is available on High Grove.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and gently undulating with some shade. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The car park on South Grove side is less crowded than the main entrance.

Explore More

• Templestowe Best Parks — same vibe, different suburb
• Templestowe Lower Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Templestowe Lower Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Templestowe Lower Complete Guide — everything about Templestowe Lower
• Compare Suburbs — see how Templestowe Lower stacks up
• All Templestowe Lower Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best parks options in Templestowe Lower?

Finn’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Templestowe Lower good for best parks?

Yes. Templestowe Lower has 10+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Templestowe Lower known for?

Residential suburb with Manningham Road strip.

How far is Templestowe Lower from Melbourne CBD?

Templestowe Lower is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Templestowe Lower is the kind of suburb you move to for practical reasons and stay for the character. Give it six months. You’ll stop driving to the inner city for everything.

Last updated: March 2026